DS-181-4, a Human male pilot of a starfighter, was identified by the callsign and served the Galactic Empire during the Galactic Civil War. He earned a promotion to Saber Squadron, which was a component of the 181st Imperial Fighter Group, after distinguishing himself in the subjugation of Mon Calamari. He then served as the wingman of Major Turr Phennir. DS-181-4 was present on the second Death Star in 4 ABY for the arrival of Sith Lord Darth Vader, and he later fought in the Battle of Endor.
During the Galactic Civil War, DS-181-4, a Human male, was a starfighter pilot in the Imperial Navy, identified by the callsign DS-181-4. DS-181-4 secured a spot in Baron Soontir Fel's Saber Squadron, a part of the 181st Imperial Fighter Group, and piloted the TIE/IN interceptor known as Saber 4, after achieving twelve kills during the subjugation of Mon Calamari. DS-181-4 frequently flew in a reserve capacity while serving as Major Turr Phennir's wingman. DS-181-4 repeatedly declined promotions in order to remain in the unit, as he preferred to fly with the 181st.
Following the Battle of Yavin at some point, DS-181-4 engaged in a battle with at least one Rebel pilot. Although he was defeated, he was able to get away in his damaged TIE interceptor. DS-181-4 also took part in battles between Imperial and Rebel Alliance forces in the Naboo, Tatoo, Corellian, Dantooine, and Karthakk systems during the Galactic Civil War. These battles involved a Lancer-class frigate from the Empire facing off against a EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate from the Rebels, with numerous starfighters supporting the defense or offense of the system.
In 4 ABY, DS-181-4 was present when Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith, arrived on the second Death Star to talk with Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod, the station's commander, about the battle station's slow construction progress. The Sith Lord announced that Emperor Palpatine himself would be arriving to personally oversee the remainder of the Death Star's assembly. DS-181-4 later flew on Phennir's wing during the Battle of Endor, during which Phennir was assigned to protect the Star Destroyer Avenger. The battle concluded with the destruction of the Death Star, resulting in an Imperial defeat.
During his time in the Empire, DS-181-4 was seen wearing a black Imperial Navy crewman's uniform.
DS-181-4's initial appearance was in the opening scene of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi from 1983, where he was an unnamed extra awaiting the arrival of Darth Vader on the second Death Star. In 2000, he was first identified by name on a card for the Death Star II Limited expansion set of the Star Wars Customizable Card Game, with the name simultaneously being used on a separate card for his call sign.
The actor who played DS-181-4 can be seen in the Special Edition version of The Empire Strikes Back alongside other extras who played Imperial officers in Return of the Jedi, since a portion of the scene depicting Vader's arrival on the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi was reused in the Special Edition release of The Empire Strikes Back for a scene showing Vader arriving aboard the Super Star Destroyer Executor from Cloud City.
In 2003, DS-181-4 was included in the MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided as a non-player character in Game Update 20. Players aligned with the Rebel faction who requested Tier 7 Duty Missions from particular space stations had a chance to encounter an elite Imperial pilot as the mission's final boss. DS-181-4 was one of these pilots. Upon defeating DS-181-4, the player would receive a message indicating the pilot's successful defeat, rather than witnessing the Imperial's destruction. The player then received a collection icon that added up to award a badge if the player succeeded in destroying all ten of the elite Imperial pilots.
However, elite Imperial pilots could also be found flying in various space battles, which took place in the Naboo, Tatoo, Corellian, Dantooine, and Karthakk systems. Because DS-181-4 only appeared in the space portion of Star Wars Galaxies, originally added with the Jump to Lightspeed expansion pack, he could normally only be seen inside his respective TIE interceptor. However, a comm display could appear during the battle, displaying DS-181-4's face. In addition, the collection icon depicted DS-181-4's physical appearance. While DS-181-4 piloted a TIE interceptor in the game, there is no indication it was Saber 4. Although players could choose not to participate in any of the battles or collections connected to DS-181-4, this article assumes 100 percent game completion.